Amanda Knox Found Guilty of Murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy … Sentenced to 26 Years

22 year old Amanda Knox has been found guilty by an Italian court of the murder of her roommate Merideth Kercher. Knox was in tears following the guilty verdict and was sentenced to serve 26 years in prison. After the judge read the verdict, Italians gathered in the street shouted “26 years!” Some also shouted insults at Knox’s lawyer.

The Seattle woman, who has spent the last two years in an Italian jail cell, was also convicted of a series of additional charges including sexual assault, conspiracy, faking a burglary and slandering a man she falsely implicated in the crime.

Knox’s father, Curt Knox, when asked if they would appeal and fight, replied, “Hell yes.”

Knox’s former boyfriend and co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito was also convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. His relatives screamed and broke down hysterically after the sentence was read out.

Both were ordered to pay damages to the Kercher family.

Amanda Knox may have been found guilty; however, the case is far from over. The case will be appealed which under the Italian legal system basically constitutes another trial. Amanda Knox vowed to clear her name.

Although the family of Amanda Knox was disappointed with the verdict, the family of murder victim Meredith Kercher was calmly pleased with the Knox conviction, but added it is “Not a Time for Celebration.”

Kercher family talks about verdict

Family members of Meredith Kercher said Saturday they were satisfied with the verdict that found American Amanda Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, guilty of the fatal knifing of the British student.

“Ultimately we are pleased with the decision,” said Lyle Kercher, Meredith Kercher’s brother. “But it was not a moment of celebration. We are here because our sister was brutally murdered.”

The victim’s sister, Stephanie Kercher, talked Friday about her family’s grief.

“Our lives have been on hold, really. You can’t really carry on as normal,” she said. “You have to take each day as it comes. It’s not ever going to be the same without [Meredith].”